Call to order. Good evening everybody. The time is 6:01 and I'd like to call the special meeting of the Rocho Park Township Committee to order. Open public meeting act. According to the open public meetings act, notice of the special meeting of
January 14, 2026 was transmitted to the Bergen record and Herald News on January 9th, 2026. In addition, a copy of this notice has been posted on the township bulletin board and the township website is and is on file in the office of the
township clerk. Roll call, please. >> Present will be asked from today's special meeting. Committee man >> here. >> Mayor Johnson >> here. Mayor >> here. >> Committee one committee woman Theresa
Judge Corbal is on a well-deserved vacation. Uh we'll see her at the next meeting. Uh please rise and join us for the pledge of allegiance and remain standing for a moment of silence. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. You may be seated. All right. At this time, I will ask for a motion to adopt resolution number 26-049
authorizing the township committee to enter into close session to discuss matters relating to legal issues, litigation, potential litigation, contract negotiation, and attorney client privilege, including retirey health benefits agreement and billboard contract. May I have a motion to enter close session?
>> I'll make a motion. >> I'll second. >> Roll call, please. >> Committee. >> Yes. >> Committee Smith. >> Yeah. Yes. >> Deputy mayor. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> All right. >> We just have to make an announcement. The tax committee will be in close
session for approximately a half hour at which time it will come out for a public session and further action will be taken. >> Are you leaving us or are we leaving? >> Okay, we're we're leaving. >> We're now in close session. >> Can I get a motion to come out of close
session? Motion. >> Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Roll call. >> 21. >> Yes. >> Here. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Awesome. All right. We are now back in
public session. Thank you for your patience. Our first item for discussion tonight is the 2026 revaluation. Many of you saw the appraisal company that did the re revaluation in town uh this past summer and fall completing inspections
at your home. That work has wrapped up and the preliminary numbers are now ready for everybody to review. So at this time I want to turn it over to our tax assessor Ed Brown along with our representative from AIS
>> ASIL systems. >> Thank you. You guys take a seat. >> Thank you. Anybody have just pull that mic down a little bit? It'll pick you up pretty loud. Okay, I
can be heard. >> Yeah. All right. Good evening. Um, so as uh you mentioned, mayor, um, the preliminary numbers have been completed for the revaluation. Um, and
we're ready to send out um, value in um, I'm sorry, value notification letters to the property owners throughout the township. Um, based upon it's been well, I guess I should start that the last time this process has been done was for
the 2010 tax year. Um, and from 2010 to 2025 and that 2026, there's been a lot of changes in the real estate market. um trends have changed their commercial properties, residential properties, specifically office buildings. Um and the long and
the short of it is that um there is a shift in the tax burden from the commercial taxpayers to the residential taxpayers. Um and a large shift. Um to get just straight to the point, we're
projecting right now that well in 2025 um the average tax bill for a resident a residential property within the township was $9,855. We're projecting that to increase to $10,8740.
Um so that is on average um an increase of $952. So in 2025, our assessments were at 68.64% of market value as established by the state division of taxation. That number
is called the equalization ratio. Um each town has one unique to it where the state tracks where the sales are in comparison to the assessments. So now we're bringing all the properties to up to 100%. And although we're going to be collecting a similar amount of money
than we are next year, um changes within the real estate market and trends um that there it it changes that the residential properties are worth exponentially more than the commercial properties on the whole um at this time.
>> And that's throughout the state, right? >> It's throughout the state. This is very spec these numbers right here are specific to Rochelle Park. Um the biggest thing is that um some of our biggest taxpayers in town are large office buildings and I I I think that
people might generally know that the office market hasn't been doing well. It wasn't doing well before CO and in the postcoid market it's even worse. Um people have generally not generally but um vacancy is much higher. Uh a lot of
more people are working from home. There's a lot less demand for office space. So the office market has stayed relatively flat, if not gotten a little bit worse since the last time we've done a rebound. Um that is side by side with the residential market which has gone
through the the roof specifically postco. Um so that's why we're seeing these shifts in the rateable base and uh more taxes um or a bigger portion of the tax burden shifting to the residents. So, why don't you go through the
process? The residents are going to receive a letter. And when do you think they'll be getting their letters? >> So, we can send them out as early as tomorrow. So, once they receive their letter, there'll be instructions on how to coordinate a individual one-on-one meeting with a representative of
appraisal systems. During that process, um, you know, your information will will be reviewed. uh we never got inside and that's something to keep in mind of this amount of increases 27% of the town we did not gain interior access to. So
those properties are going to see a much larger increase because they're estimated. Um so of course during this review process that will be an opportunity to have us come out and inspect the property. Once all the meetings are completed, those who had a
meeting will receive a follow-up letter with what the final value is for 2026. >> And are the residents informed that if they do not allow uh an inspection of the house, they're not permitted to file an appeal. >> Correct. So, it's very important if if you you know say, "Well, I don't want
you in. I'll just appeal." That's great. However, when you appeal, the commissioners in the county will tell you that you need to let the inspector in. and perform the inspection in order for you to proceed with the tax appeal. >> The county board of taxation will not
reduce an assessment um if the property owner refuses an inspection, >> right? >> So, at some point, if if the dumber does come in high and you know it gets challenged, eventually you're going to have to let somebody in no matter what. >> And when you meet with the residents, that's their opportunity to ask
questions. Why did it go up? And bring things to your attention maybe you didn't know that they think may allow them to get some type of reduction. Correct. >> And they and they are allowed to avail themselves of that process. And if they not satisfied at that point, then they
still have the right to appeal to the county tax. >> That is correct. They still have recourse to file on May 1st this year. >> But the residents should be encouraged to take advantage of that opportunity. >> Absolutely. >> Because when you file, I add on the county tax board as a commissioner. So, just so the residents know, if you wait
till then, you're not going to get the one- on-one because there may be 50 residents there, uh, and the representatives of the township are not going to have the opportunity to spend that much time with you. So, this is a
resident's best opportunity to really discuss their assessment with the appraisal company and with the township's assessor, and you should take advantage of that. And there is the possibility that you may get a reduction at that level of uh of discussion versus
waiting for the uh county commissioners to make a decision. >> Yeah. And that that is the purpose of those meetings to to to explain the process but also to to address concerns and if there's something that hasn't been taken into consideration um we have the opportunity to change the
assessments before it's finalized. >> So those letters can be sent out as soon as tomorrow. And then when can we start the one-on-one sessions with residents? >> Next week. >> Yeah. >> Uh we'll we'll be doing uh one-on-one meetings uh over the phone, but also right here in the municipal building
meeting with people in person. >> It's just important to know that the meetings have to be scheduled with the firm in order to um have the proper paperwork during the meeting. People can't just show up. So all the information has to schedule online and or call the office will be included in the letter. >> Do you know what hours those meetings
range from? Um we do throughout the day we try to um open evening hours and and a Saturday if if need be. >> Okay. Thank you. We can open up the senior center for those meetings. >> Sure. >> Wonderful. >> Yeah.
>> Uh Ed, one question I have is I know that many residents are probably going to be asking, you know, if their individual taxes rise, uh does that mean the municipality is receiving more revenue? Can you sort of explain how the assessed value and that tax rate work together?
>> Yeah, this is a net neutral meaning that the there might be increases and for every dollar that someone goes up, somebody else goes down a dollar. In this circumstance, it happens to be the commercial properties on average and and then and individually it's all over, but on average there's a shift to the
commercial. Um, but >> the same amount of the same amount of revenue is collected. It's not that you're generating more money for the township to spend. If the budget like last year or the budget this year was $11 million, it's not going to be 12
because of the reevaluation. They're still going to collect $1 million from both the commercial and residential property. >> Yeah. The the reasoning that this process is done uh periodically is is to redistribute the tax base over time. Trends in the real estate market change.
We haven't done inspections. Um so so to address those and and make taxation more fair and equitable um the state has stepped in and forced the township to do so. >> What was our ratio present ratio? >> The present ratio is 68.64%.
If we did not do the revaluation it would be down to 63.89% for next year. So, so, so everybody understands that means your the value of your home based upon the present assessment is only assessed at approximately 66% of its true value and
you're supposed to be at 100%. And when you fall below 15%, you get ordered to do. So, this wasn't like, oh, let's do a reassessment and change everybody's tax base. This township was ordered because your ratio fell so far below what it's
supposed to be. And that's to provide equity. In other words, is it fair that some property owners are paying more taxes than what they should be and other property owners are paying less than what they should be? And John, to piggyback on that, the township was ordered for revaluation in 2019 for the
2021 tax year. So there extensions have been granted um but you know, it had to be done at a certain point. And the other thing that the county board of taxation does look at um there's the equalization ratio which we talked about the percentage of where our assessments are in relation to market value. But
there's also another number uh statistic I should say that um the the division of taxation and the county board of taxation review and that's called the coefficient of deviation. um that number it basically shows it the the lower the coefficient of deviation
um the the the more equitable the assessments are. Um when the assessments start to get out of whack and and and less equitable the the um coefficient gets higher and typically when the county tax board sees coefficients over 10% they want to address um the t uh the
assessments in the in the in the municipality and order evaluations. So um at the time we were ordered our coefficient was just under 14%. In 2022 it was 17.65%. In 23 it was 15.2.
In 24 was 17.77. So these numbers show that our assessments are inequitable that that they they are uniform um and needed to be addressed or at least the county tax board saw that we needed to be addressed. And that's important to note because
that doesn't mean that a revaluation is supposed to happen every 10 years. It really depends on the equalization ratio. The ratio and the coefficient um are the two key numbers that that the county is looking for. Um and it's it's not every 10 years. I think a lot of people believe that. Um in our case, we
did it for the 2010 tax year and now we're doing it for the 2016 or 26 tax year. So it's 16 years. There's other municipalities. I mean, I can think of, I believe, upper Saddle River um hasn't been done since the 2002 tax year. I think um Alpine maybe 2003. And then you
go out of the county um I know Elizabeth, they went from 1968 to I believe 2023 um without doing one. And you had the some communities in Birmingham doing the annual assessments which is basically
eliminates this because the ratio is always going to be close to that 100%. So >> yeah, I it basically would have happened in in in pieces if you were doing the reassessment each year instead of hitting it once and hitting it in in a obviously much bigger fashion percentage
wise. >> Any questions from the township committee before we open up to the public? All right. Uh, can I get a motion to open up to public comment specifically for the 20126 revaluation? >> Make a motion.
>> Second. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Miller. >> Yes. >> Mayor, I'm sorry. Gate and Mayor Miller. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> All right. We are now open to the public
if anyone wants to ask a question. students in um how does this impact the library value? >> Um what the library gets in taxes the the library gets a percentage I forget the percentage off the top of my head of
the equalized value. So last year it was our total assessments um divided by the equalization ratio I mentioned which was uh 68.64% 64%. Now it's going to be uh our ratable base times 100%. So it really shouldn't change the library
budget much. >> So we're currently around 330,000 in the valuation for the town. You don't think that's going to go up? >> No, I think it'll be it'll be pretty close. It might go up slightly because as I mentioned, it's an equalized value.
So it's not you know our values overall have gotten up significantly. However, when it comes to the library budget, when it's being set, it's our total amount of ratables. So, that number last year was just under uh a billion dollars. Now, we're raising 1.5 billion.
However, that number was was divided by the equalization ratio um which as I mentioned was 68.64%. >> Do commercial properties pay into the library? >> Yes, everybody does. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you.
And just to follow that up, your your taxes basically go three places. They go to the schools which take the biggest piece, they go to the county, and then they go to the municipality, Rochelle Park. That it doesn't matter. The the we have one general tax rate. So whatever
the use of the property is, everybody's paying the same proportion. >> Thank you very much. >> Hi, Michael Warren, 181 West Street. In your experience, um I know this is a sticker shock. You mentioned that earlier in your propos in your speech about uh the increase 16 years a long
time to go and you did mention that there are towns that do rolling assessments maybe every year maybe every two years is that a system that you think Rochelle Park should look into to avoid that what is considered to be a large
increase for many people um it's something to contemplate in the future. There's a lot of towns that do it. You can't do it every two years. you either have to do it every year, four or five year cycle or not do it. So why is that? >> It's the rules set forth by the state. Um it's it's not county rules, it's not
municipal rules. >> So if the township is going to remain static, meaning that uh we continue to zone for office buildings and we don't reszone for more small businesses, other types of businesses to come in,
stick with this plan. But if you're saying that if the town's going to maybe move away from office space, which you say is declining and and the value is sinking, which is creating a more of a burden for the residents, in your in your professional opinion, which which method do you think would be
beneficial? >> Well, even it it could work either way. If a property is reszone and redeveloped, it's not that it doesn't get assessed. It will get assessed. Um it it just over it'll happen each year. I file what's called the added assessment list where I think pick of all the new construction or construction
that's been uh done on the properties. So um you know this year we had a big uh uh uh rateable come on with the self storage facility over by Essex Street the Harley-Davidson u uh dealership. Um I know the year before there was an
addition that was before I was here but there was an addition um at the ShopRite property. Yes. >> So when these things happen they do get picked up. Um, I know a lot of towns like to do the rolling reassessment or the annual reassessment. The one thing I
can note though is that um it's not going to change. It'll it would change things small in increments. However, you know, we're still looking at a market where the residentials are still appreciating and high. Um, so I mean there would be a shift each year um just
because of the way our our ratable base is constructed. And my final question for you is across the street, you know, there's a pilot agreement, you know, paying little taxes, uh, apartment buildings like that, uh, if they were taxed on the regular method that
everybody else is, would that have helped or hurt us or no effect? >> Um, without running the numbers, I couldn't tell. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> No problem. >> Thank you. Bob Davidson, Lexington Avenue. Um, I'm
actually going to be asking about the Route 17 project. I know it's not has anything to do with this today, but I really think what needs to be done going back to what I actually brought up last last meeting. I really think that they need to look at what the evaluate what's going to happen with that expansion of
Route 17. we have a good idea of the number of buildings or or gradables that we're going to be losing and I think that that's something that they should take a look at and I strongly suggest that you look at it today. I know they they say it's 5 years away. I mean I you
know I I received a letter from the state where they're actually starting to do various types of work for that project. So I think that the town needs to be able to take a look because five years is not that far away and there certainly is something that I think
needs to be addressed. At least you have some kind of an idea what the impact is going to be even at today's dollars. So that's I would strongly suggest you do that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. No, Mr. Davidson, I really appreciate that. I think that this is an opportunity for us to sit
with our planner uh as well as the CFO. Our master plan is up this year and this township is desperate for an effective wellthoughtout master plan. Uh I believe our current planner actually said that
the last master plan from 2016 wasn't even written correctly. So there's a lot to be done with our with our planning and specifically our 2026 master plan. >> Right. So I think this is an opportunity now to get some kind of real educated guess where you're going. The other
thing just real quick if I can with the apartment buildings, how are they how are they treated? Are they treated as residential? >> Commercial buildings, they're viewed as investment properties. Um, so they're valued the same way as most commercial properties, which is based upon their
income minus vacancy and minus expenses. Um, that's how an investor uh views these type of properties. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Diane Mahassel Forest Place. Hi. Um, the amount of people at least based on what we were told last meeting was 600
families or homes I should say, which is about a fourth of how many homes are in March Park that didn't allow you guys in. >> 32% is uh the number we just said. Okay. So, we got into 78%. Okay. >> Um, I'm sorry, 68%. And we'll have the opportunity now when these meetings
start and the letters get sent out to get into more homes. >> Because my question I guess is based on let's say even half those people don't respond or don't want to let you in or whatever the reason is. Will that obviously will affect the amount of
money coming in one way or the other? >> Well, not not the it'll affect the distribution that those pe when the budgets get sent that's the amount of money that's being collected. So the the revaluation of the assessor, I don't generate revenue for the town. I
I distribute revenue. >> Right. I know based on what you said. Yeah. >> So in those circumstances, what we're what we're required to do by case law is if we don't gain access to the property, we have to estimate it to the highest reasonable potential. So if someone
doesn't let us in the home, we're going to have to assume that there's renovations done. If they have a basement, we're going to have to assume the basement's finished. If they have an attic, we'd have to assume the bas the attic's finished. Things of that nature. So, by not letting us in, the most of these people are going to have an inflated assessed value and then be
paying more of the tax burden. >> Cuz usually, many times, and I'm talking through the years, you see um whatever business has been reassessed, you know, we see it in the notes, let's say, in a town meeting, and then this they were given less less tax amount, whether it's office building or whatever, which of
course goes into what you were saying, how commercial is less residence is more. So if your resident amount based on almost well now it's a third whatever of the homes can change by May how will that affect you know cuz you said they have till May
to do this. >> Uh not till May. Um they have basically a month from now give or take. >> Oh. So if they don't do it by then and >> then well no they have to before the numbers get finalized. And if they don't do it by then then they have till May 1st to file an appeal. And if they don't do so by then then they have to wait
till the following year. Well, I'm saying so if those appeals happen, how will that affect your amount of money coming in or out? You know, that's a lot of homes that could >> there. I mean, if there are number properties that need to be decreased, then they will we will have to refund. Um, however, the township does budget
for refunds each year. >> Okay. Curious how that work. Thank you. >> I have a question. Oh, >> anybody else from the public? Hearing or seeing nobody. Can I get a
motion to close public comment? >> Second. >> I'll second. >> Roll call, please. >> I >> Yes. >> Mayor Chowinsky. >> Yes. >> Mayor Miller. >> Yes. >> Mr. Chinsky.
>> One thing I didn't see on the list here was the private school stage day. Was that re-evaluated or part of the reevaluation? >> Yes. That's a commercial property. They are paying taxes and that was revalued. >> Was that as commercial? >> Yes. >> Okay.
>> Uh Ed, my question is uh of the office properties that are in town, do you know um basically the impact that they are having on that average $952 uh per average assessed household?
>> Yeah, they're they're it's a large impact. So, so what I'm talking when I'm talking about redistribution and and and changes um you're seeing everything basically increase with the exception of the office buildings. I went through and identified 22 pure office buildings and
some of them are biggest taxpayers in town. In 2025, the these 22 properties had an aggregate assessment of just under $79 million. for 2026. Um, our preliminary numbers
have them just over 77 million. So, there's a slight decrease in these properties. So, for that $952 increase we've been speaking about, these just these 22 properties alone account for $486 of that increase. So, I
mean, these are what's really kind of the Achilles heel, if you will. >> Thank you. Anybody else? really appreciate your time. Thank you so much for coming. Thank you. >> Mayor, do you have any specific?
>> All right, moving right along. Uh discussion on advertisement for a full-time zoning officer, construction official, building sub code official, and building inspector. Uh so we're bringing this forward tonight because the township committee continues to receive a lot of uh
property maintenance concerns um that require consistent attention and uh a part-time structure, which is what we currently have, uh limits our ability to respond proactively and as efficiently as we would like. And actually our
municipal code requires a full-time construction official. So this discussion really allows us to take a responsible step toward aligning our operations with that requirement in our code book. Would anyone like to weigh in on this
advertisement? Well, I think I'd like to weigh in on it. I think um Mayor, I think it's a solid move on our part. Um, I think the department's been operating okay, um, for what they've the
way it's been structured and and up till now. But I think in the the time and the place that we're in right now with the amount of construction that's been going on that we see around town, I think it would be helpful. I think it would be um beneficial to the residents to have a
face that's in the building department regularly from a construction a construction official leading the way that's also a sub code official. I, you know, um, have heard the some of the some of the concerns and the complaints in the past through time. I don't have a
list of people, but I have heard the complaints from contractors trying to go into the building department and not being able to um, receive a building permit or receive questions uh, receive answers for questions that they've had at the times they've gone. And, you know, it's enough enough enough
has come up that rises to the point that where we're at. And I think it's a I think it's a prudent move on our part. I also think um I was looking at the ad and and I I think the ad I don't know if you want to read it or not, but I I think the the ad
is pretty solid the way it is. And I said it's time to go time to move forward. That's all I have. Anybody else? All right. So, we could have interested candidates could submit a letter of interest with a resume and copy of their
licences no later than what's the date 2 weeks from now. >> 28th of January. >> All right. January 28th. All right. So, if there's no further comments, I'll ask for a motion to authorize the job posting.
Do I have a motion? >> Make a motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. Committee woman. >> Yes. >> Committee man. >> Yes. >> Mayor Julian. >> Yes. >> Mayor Miller. >> Yes.
>> Thank you so much. All right. Our next item of discussion is township office hours. So, as many know, the township has operated on a modified schedule during the summer months, uh, including extended hours on
Wednesdays and shorten hours on Fridays. That schedule ended up being continued by a resolution last year in September. Um, but at this point of the year, seems appropriate for the township to transition back to our standard township office hours of 8 to 4, uh, consistent
with our regular operating schedule. Any comments on this township committee? >> Great. So, we'll possibly keep it operational for the next two weeks and then transition back February 1st.
All right. So, I'm going to ask for a motion to temporarily continue the current township office hour schedule, including extended window days and shortened Fridays until February 1st. Do I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Do I have a second? >> Second.
>> Roll call, please. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Summer. >> Yes. So, uh, the continuation will be temporary for two more weeks and then
let's do a formal resolution on the next agenda that lays out the hours for the year. Thanks so much. All right. Any correspondence? >> All right. Uh, new business. Uh, I'll begin with new business. On January 8th,
the Rochelle Park Environmental Commission hosted David Refkin, chair of Green Rididgewood for anformational presentation on regional flooding impacts along the Saddle River. Mr. Refkin was uh has played a significant role in organizing affected municipalities and contributing to
datadriven flooding research with academic partners including Columbia University. And uh I understand the discussion focused on regional coordination among neighboring towns. And I want to thank the environmental commission uh commissioner Michael Warren for organizing the event. I want
to thank deputy mayor Matt Shuinsky for attending. I think that this really underscores uh the township committee to staying informed on issues impacting our residents. So thank you. Anybody else for new business? I'd like to piggy back
on the back of that that uh new business. I I attended like uh like was just said by the mayor and for anybody that hasn't heard this presentation, it's a very powerful presentation and I think uh the amount of
um the amount of information that was shared was staggering at that at that presentation. And I think the solutions, some of the solutions that were presented that will have to involve the county um are is pretty clear on how some of these
solutions can can help all of us and benefit with our flooding issues. Uh it's going to take it's going to take effort from the coalition of everyone on the river and then some and further out further reaching. It's also going to take participation and and um agreement
with the county. But I think I think and I feel that this is a this is a big wave that's that's ready to go. And I think as long as we all get behind it and we all push, we might just get somewhere with this. So I was happy to attend and I thank Michael Warren for setting that up and the environmental commission for
inviting me. That was a great uh great event. So I'm looking forward to going further with this. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else for new business? >> Do you want me to discuss the billboard? Uh, mayor, that'd be great. Yeah, I'm in front of it. So, um,
I received a phone call, I guess last week sometime, um, from a gentleman seeking information about a billboard. I was immediately ecstatic, thinking he was wanted to rent the township's, uh, loop. Um, but having a conversation with this person who's been in the advertisement business or the marketing business for over 25 years, uh, out of a
firm from Pamas, it was he was actually looking for a different sign, uh, the ownership of a different sign on Route 17. But in picking his brain, I learned that um cuz I explained to him we have yet to get anybody wanting to rent our space. Um when I told him what our pricing schedule was, he said, "Yeah, for that rate, you're never going to get
anybody unless you had a static board." And we don't have access to a static board. We have an access to the digital loop of a, you know, with eight other advertisements uh during the same time. Um, and in speaking with that gentleman and speaking with the town committee, we've decided what we want to do, mayor, uh, again, you know this, but for the
public sake, is we're going to go to a more competitive pricing scheme and probably do that, change our current ordinance that sets the pricing to allow this committee and any committee going forward uh, via resolution to set that price so we can fluctuate with the current market rates for that sign. So, I want to thank the mayor and this
committee for, you know, uh, hearing that and um, hopefully we move forward on it next meeting. >> Absolutely. We'll amend that ordinance. I really appreciate it. >> Mr. Smith, anything? >> Um, oh yes. As far as the 250, America 250, um, I think this is a great year to
celebrate obviously 250 years of this great country that we all live in. Um, and I know every we're going to be doing ceremonies throughout the year, all over the country. I am interested in finding out if there's any townies, anybody that's been here a long time to find
some possible pictures from 1976 and 1926 where we can kind of maybe celebrate what the 200 year anniversary looked like in Roshaw Park and the 150. I'm not holding my breath for the 1926, but 19 it might be really quite interesting.
Maybe put a display out in um the municipal building or just thinking out loud. So, just something came to me. I thought it would be nice to share it with the town and find out if there's something we can do about that. So, >> thank you. And, uh, Committee Smith is also the liaison to the ad hoc committee
this year, which is titled America 250. So, there's anybody that wants to volunteer to plan a celebration to celebrate America's 250th birthday, please do so. Mayor, if I may. >> Yeah. as a a towny of some kind. I
remember 1976, I believe it was uh an Eagle Scout project. They painted all the they got permission from Hackintock Water at the time to paint all of the fire hydrants red, white, and blue. Um, which is a pretty cool thing and I believe it was the Sudol family if I'm not mistaken. So, yeah, I see you here in the audience and reminded me that.
So, again, just an idea whether or not the Olio would allow us to touch their property anymore and in this more in this world latigious world, I don't know. But, uh, just a cool thing and yeah, however I can help, please make sure that ad hoc committee. Um, you know, I you I know it's come up before maybe American flags along some of our
more prominent streets and or something to that effect. >> That was a nursery school. >> There you go. There you go. Happy to show those pictures. >> Nice. And also, you know, we I don't know who our our last towning was, but I know Ed Quinn has a lot of uh pictures
and photographs, so I'll do my best to reach out. I see Mrs. Aabuchi. I'm sure you still have Ed's number and maybe you'd be willing to help me out. >> So, it's Chip that has everything. >> Chip Rener has it all out. Perfect. Even better. So, I have his info as well. >> There's a social there's a website and he's got a collection. If there's
anybody that's got anything, it's him. >> Awesome. Awesome. >> Has a lot of stuff, but the one that >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Oh, that's >> he could do like it like a DVR or something. What is it? A disc or something you could sell for the anniversary. you could
>> very cool have, you know, put them on for sale. >> Yeah. Thank you. So, that leads into something else. When when you mentioned his name, I I look on Facebook and I see the pictures and I see them come up and they're they're great. They're it's mindboggling to me. When I look at some
of the areas trying to figure out where we're going to navigate, >> but when I was sitting there, my wife and I were looking at them and we were saying, "Geez, these pictures should be displayed. We should print those out and have those hanging up around here and around the hallway and and you know and have them, you know, decorate the the
building. >> I'll speak during public portion. >> Yeah, I was going to say we can definitely have these conversations during public portion. >> Okay. >> Um Mr. Scatino, a legal update. >> Yes. So uh we have a couple of matters
to report on regarding 120 uh PA uh also known as the Tuler uh litigation. So the challenge to the uh decision of the board of adjustment in denying the daycare center based upon
the redevelopment agreement was affirmed by judge Pavano in a uh very uh lengthy and wellthoughtout decision that was rendered today. So that decision uh again affirmed the
decision of the uh board of adjustment. It did mention in the decision though that the developer in accord with the redevelopment agreement does have the right to uh request that the governing body amend the redevelopment agreement
to allow uses beyond that which is in the redevelopment agreement. But for them to do that, they would have to appear at a governing body meeting at a public session and basically present their appeal as they would before a land
use board. Uh, also they do have the right to appeal Judge Padavano's decision, but again, Judge Padavano's decision uh, in my opinion was well thought out and supported by case law and the statutes. And essentially it
came down to the land use the municipal land use law with respect to daycare centers does not supersede the redevelopment agreement which was negotiated with the developer and who agreed to develop the property uh for
certain specific uses. Uh and I think that again that decision if it is appealed will be affirmed also. Unfortunately, uh, Tuler has filed a new lawsuit.
Uh, one of those allegations deals with the, uh, board of adjustments decision. So based upon judge Baval's decision that was issued today that in my opinion that uh part of the complaint will have no merit because it's very difficult to
argue that the decision of the board of a judgment was arbitrary, capriccious and unreasonable when you have a security court judge saying no, they made the right decision. Uh there are other allegations contained in the complaint with respect to uh the challenge that we've raised as to their
renting of the uh parking spaces to Mazda. Again, the uh township committee feels very strong in its position and also uh challenging the issuance of fines that have been le levied against uh the property owner for what we
believe is the illegal use of the parking uh for commercial storage of vehicles. So that complaint was served uh today. Uh the process with respect to that will be and it's already uh commenced. It's
forwarded to our insurance carrier for coverage and more than likely there will be coverage for most if not all the claims and all the defendants. An attorney then will be uh selected by the insurance carrier and the township will
be represented by at least one if not perhaps multiple attorneys assigned by the GIF if they feel there's conflicts between the uh different defendants. But the chip committee comma remains committed to moving forward to ensure
that this developer or any developer in this community abides by whatever representations they make or whatever agreements they entered into with the township committee. >> Thank you, John. Um, anything else for new business
in my spare time? I spent some time down at Matthews Field and uh we were looking over the concerns that have been brought up in the past which I agree of of the last time I think that building Dave can confirm as Mr. Brown you can confirm when you
walked through that uh hallway with me and you said geez I remember when we won those trophies and this carpet was put down. So going back >> carpet was put down. So, um to to to that point, we have a um
comprehensive uh overview of the interior renovations for that building to be uh put together and the exterior of the building, the missing from when the roof was done and the gutter was put on, the sophet was never wrapped in aluminum that animals
got into and the uh provisions for the the flooring to be redone and the you know uh the cabinets to be replaced and removed. And I mean there there's an LED up upgrade to the lighting
all within I believe it'll be within a grant um covered in a grant where we would have to pay for the project as I understand lay out the money and we would be reimbured for it under a grant that's already ongoing. >> Correct, Deputy Mayor. We have a local recreation improvement grant that we
were awarded for that project and we already bonded for that money as well. So it's the funding is there. It's just a matter of getting the work done and then we submit for the reimbursement. >> Yeah. So, it's a pretty extensive and it's also, you know, it's time to upgrade to the efficiency levels that where we're at. Um, replacing some of
the the the electric heat strip heaters that are in there with a high efficiency duckless heating system in there as part of this. We'll also provide air conditioning in there. you know, maybe it can double its uses for maybe we can double it for other other events and use it for meeting place for other
committees and other other place people that need it. Um, but it's a it's a win-win. It's a it's a time to do it and there'll be more information presented to this committee and then to the public. I'm looking forward to having this done before opening day. We are going to need the uh comprehensive um
we're going to need the help from recreation and baseball or whoever is going to be involved with us to help get all the trophies out of there, box them up, package everything, get everything emptied out of that building that's essential so we can do the renovations and the renovation could be performed rather than getting it damaged. Um just
really quick, baseball signups started. So, you know, just so everybody know, sign your kids up. Don't wait till the last minute. >> Mhm. Thank you both. Uh just to close out new business, just from speaking to my colleagues and hearing all of their
wonderful ideas, um I think it would be great uh for an opportunity to establish a process or a formal consistent way for residents to share ideas and give feedback that the uh township committee could then review. Uh just a uh
opportunity for qualitative feedback moving forward. Um, so at this time I want to ask for a motion to authorize the clerk to develop a general resident feedback survey, including both a digital format and paper format to collect input on township services,
communication, and overall resident experience for review and consideration by the township committee at a future public meeting. Do I have a motion? >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Roll call, please. Yes.
>> Smith. >> Yes. >> Mayor Jaminsky. >> Yes. >> Yes. Thank you so much, Gina. Excited to collaborate on that. It's time for public participation. Do I have a motion to open up to the public? >> Motion.
>> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. We are open to the public. Thank you for show. Um, this is a question, Mr. Mayor. I don't know if the
attorney can answer. Um, with everything going on with across the street at 120, does this I realize you said there's no new lawsuits, but does this have any effect on the original pilot since they're not following the original agreement? Like, does that change anything?
Well, actually we have filed a lawsuit against Hulker saying they have not complied uh among other allegations with the pilot agreement and there is the possibility that the as part of that litigation uh because of what we contend as their breach of that agreement then
the pilot agreement could be satisfied. >> Okay. And that's part of >> that's part of the lawsuit we filed against. >> Okay. So it's all up to Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you Diane. Hi again, Michael Warren, 181 West
Oldest. Um, two things. One is, um, I heard about your shift back to regular hours. I just am concerned that we are shutting out a large portion of the population from accessing government services 8 to 4. I'm not saying every
employee has to stay late or leave early or whatever the case is, but there are people who are never going to be able to get here to get the services that they need. So, um this year, if you could think about what you can do uh to
um just make this office or the building department or whatever office more accessible to those who obviously work, you know, uh a full-time job during the day who can't get here. Um, so not sure what that answer is, but I think it should take be taken under
consideration. Uh, second, thanks for the shout out for the environmental commission. It was a really good session. I'll talk to David about coming back and uh maybe we can um advertise it and and people who want to come hear it. Uh, David goes all over the county. He
is the chairperson of Green Ridgewood. Um, basically their goal is to unite the six towns along the river, which is worth about $77 billion of real estate. Um, and um, uh, try to get the county to take some action on flooding. Um, not,
you know, not worrying about what happens after a flood, but really trying to prevent uh, the next big one, which uh, David feels very strongly about is coming, you know. Um, and seeing the maps, you know, uh, Matt, we saw, you
know, we're at the bottom of that of that list of towns where all the water is going to come to. So, um, there's a lot of great ideas. Um, but obviously there's going to be a push that's needed. It's going to be, you know, a price tag will be obviously on this
project. David did mention Dean about I know we did not have get that grant that we tried to get ourselves attached to with the county. David feels he mentioned this that uh the the county really did a terrible job applying for it. So uh I think him and his team want
to re-examine the application and see again this year if the county will put some more effort into basically what they applied for. Um, so that's kind of good news that there's another opportunity coming to get something to help. Um, so appreciate that. Thank you
for coming, um, Matt to that meeting. Uh, Tommy Mayor, you were uh, stuck at work, but um, I'll see if you can come by again and do something for the public to, you know, I put as much of it on Facebook as possible so people can see the slides, but uh, you know, um,
appreciate that. So, thank you guys. >> Thank you. Uh and just regards to what Michael brought up earlier, uh administrator, maybe at the next meeting during your report, uh you could brainstorm some ways that we could give residents who do can't access the
municipal building until, you know, after 5:00 because of schedule and whatnot an opportunity to actually access the services within this building. >> I'll take a look at it. Thank you. >> People were hired with specific hours, but sure. >> Yeah. >> Okay. reference to that that particular
issue with the flooding and everything. Uh I I really wish that I had known what I I certainly would have attended that meeting. Uh I do agree that it should be advertised and publicized so people can come. I know that I'm not affected by it, but I understand I very
unfortunately throughout the years have been involved with the police department and with the municipality here reference to what happens to these poor people in in this town when we do get floods. And it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when we're going to get the next one.
And and what I I've said this to many many people that it's not you know you if you sit back and you're idle and you don't say anything what do you tell them when the next one hits because there's no excuse and the county is the main
they're the ones that really need to go on this. I set up a couple of meetings with the county with the various towns. So I I do have some knowledge. As a matter of fact, I quite frankly was uh you know tried to push for this as best as I could uh through the county. So,
I'd be more than happy to do whatever I can do uh with my limited time. Um reference to the hours, I I tend to agree with Mr. Warren. Um because what I I what I know as my experience being in the building is that you do have your
first especially around tax time as a prime example. you know that again it's also with the uh with the dog licenses and stuff like that now people they like to come into the building and but unfortunately they don't have the opportunity to because the because of
the hours so I think that there is a way of you don't have to have everybody in the building here all at one time but there certainly is a way of even if you have to bring it up but just just another example you know because I do I
100% agree that the people do need the opportunity to come in and they should see our employees and and interact with our employees as well. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Davidson. And just to clarify for the public, those summer hours are going to come back during summer after Memorial Day. Um, but I
appreciate uh the feedback. I think that perhaps there is an opportunity to find a creative pathway where residents can access municipal uh offices and services. And uh Mr. Davidson, I think it would be great to collaborate with the environmental commission to see if we can bring back uh Mr. Refkin to
possibly do a presentation uh for the public at a township meeting. Thank you. >> So that pres I'm sorry, Yakabuchi on Ward Street. That presentation's not online at anywhere. >> It's not um I don't believe so. there was pictures and a write up um from the
environmental commission um but I don't believe it's available online but again it gives us a great opportunity to invite them to a future township meeting >> has something here I think so too you know years ago when the last big flood hit um and it was years ago if you notice there's a house on El Dorado
that's raised up as of today so it took that long for them to do it you know it's a major impact and I myself I'm not in the flood zone but I keep flood insurance because I have the side and I have the front. I have two different areas that can come up. But anyway, um
Sean the uh waterworks in Oidell did a beautiful tabletop book. Um the woman Hagar I believe that just won her seat in Oidell took her position there to work with the county for preservation.
But it's a beautiful tabletop book. something maybe the town could do if the for the historical pieces that we have. Chip is going to you're going to be amazed. He can also do a DVD and that's very inexpensive, but people can buy it and you know have it if they want it.
Um, back to the pilot program. Um, I have a question because I hear that if the one clause that I know they're in default in is not having the facility built in that fourth quarter, why would that negate the whole pilot program? If
you wanted to negotiate another um commercial building, we've just heard what the lack of commercial businesses here does to the residents. So, we obviously need more commercial properties in here, you know, and it may be the letter of the law that they
didn't comply with that one piece, but the by that time the pilot agreement was a couple years old, you know. I mean, you build a kitchen, maybe you decide to put put an island in or extend it, you renegotiate, you know. I don't think being a hard nose with the zoning laws
and every little particular is going to get you very far. I think the commercial aspect of this town, we have blight all over this town. We have the areas around CVS. There's got to be movement on these things. You can't just be a hard-nose and say, "Well, this is the way it is." If you don't negotiate, you're going to
throw everybody out of town. So, I think you've got to reook at your attitude about things. So, I don't Maybe you can answer Mr. know >> I want to touch on >> why is the the pilot program >> presently in litigation but that's not the only breach as you know they're
presently renting car spaces to >> so that's a commercial use okay >> in a residential zone they never got a variance for it they never got the approval of the govern body >> okay >> so that's a second violation a third violation is they have a pile of dirt that they have failed to remove
>> uh so there's multiple uh we intend as a township committee that there's multiple issues with respect to his failure to comply >> with the redevelopment agreement. >> But the major piece was not building that fourth >> actually. It depends on what you consider major. I
mean the fact that they're renting uh storage storage space for vehicles that they're not permitted to do is also what would be considered a major significant breach of the agreement. >> But it's not major. I don't I consider not building anything over there and
denying a daycare center or whatever they wanted to put in. I consider that a major breach. But everything is negotiable, you know. I mean, >> negotiable. There's no question about it. >> And I think all these litigations serve nothing but the attorneys and the courts and everything else. Who wants another
lawsuit in this town? I mean, you got to look at your attitude about things. you got to either calm down or you know reszone when it's necessary and as you say the master plan should incorporate that but I hope it takes into consideration the areas of
light here we don't go anywhere with it thank you >> I'd like I'd like to follow up with that comment >> the plans the plans for that project you know there are two there are two commercial spots that are supposed to be still built there >> two >> yes that's part of the original planning
that was done >> the fourth quarter >> there >> the fourth quarter right across from us, right? Supposed to be right here. >> Supposed to be a dining in and a takeout restaurant. Two two food facilities supposed to be there. >> The the push was for those to go away or
be replaced by a daycare facility. Now, the planning board of the past had had public hearings with everyone had the opportunity to come and present their their their reasons for agreeing or not agreeing with the with the developer. And that was all resolved. that was all
resolved in in public hearing and a project to be done. So when you agree to a development, a redevelopment to have all these aspects and then you get threequarters of the way done and you want to change that without the public weighing in on it. It's not fair to the
public. So there's commercial there is a commercial aspect to it, right? Another commercial aspect that's not built yet that >> they they said they can't fulfill, I guess, or can't for some reason. >> I do agree. So it's it's it's not that we're not we're not in the position to negotiate something that was already
priorly negotiated. I mean this was negotiated and this was resolved amongst the planning board. This was done this was done in a public session. I mean >> I agree with public access and they're you know they want this or they don't want that. But maybe it's time to take a different look because now you've got
lawsuits and you've got you know there's no settlement. The dirt's still there. So I mean nobody's winning anything. Lawyers are expensive. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Yeah. And just touching back on uh the 2026 master plan, I believe
this township committee wants to see commercial opportunities, but they also want to see smart development simultaneously. So, we're looking forward to collaborating with the land use board and hearing from the public in regards to building that 2026 master plan.
Anyone else? Bill Coleman 58 slasher um after hearing this with the negotiations uh that should be assessed at like $1.2 million in taxable. Uh the pilot program gave them something around $600,000. So I think the township was more than
generous in uh allowing them to build. I think they they tried to exceed um what they were permitted to do and the daycare um just didn't fit into it. Um
good evening fellow defendants and happy new year. Um the billboards uh what prices do we have on the billboards you and if you want to send that to me it's in Yeah, it's in the town ordinance. It's anywhere between 4,000 and4500.
Oh, it is. >> That's where they currently have it at. >> Yeah. Um, I did some research. Um, I went back to the Super Bowl when we had it here. Uh, they were going for like $10,000, $20,000 for the month. They were for the Super Bowl just because of
the Super Bowl, but that's it. Um, so we have the um, you know, the soccer common. So, it's something I might look into um, regarding the the commercial property. Um, we can't take from Peter to pay Paul.
Um, they probably got special dispensations and special variances to put up those commercial properties. Um, if they can't meet their obligation, then maybe what they the township committee should do is re-evaluate the property and possibly turn it into a
mixeduse. um take away the office spaces, let them um put uh uh businesses downstairs like Mr. Warren had mentioned, we need in town uh to stimulate the uh the township, put businesses downstairs and
put condos upstairs. And if need be, put senior housing or something upstairs so it's no impact on the school. But we got to start thinking outside the box. We can't keep um uh taking away from our t from the tax uh revenue that's brought
in and passing it on to the residents. I think the residents uh have enough of a burden. Thank you and good evening. Thank you so much. It's great to hear the commonality in this uh chamber just that we want to see a better future for this municipality and one way to do that
is through planning and to uh build up our commercial spaces. So, thank you. Anybody else hearing or seeing nobody, can I get a motion to close public comment? >> Make a motion. >> Do I have a second? >> A second.
>> Roll call, please. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Mayor Chinsky. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> All right. Before we approve the agenda, can I have a motion to add resolution 26-053,
authorization of retirey health benefits payment reimbursement agreement uh regarding William Catrell. Do I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Have a second. Second. >> Roll call. >> Mayor, >> yes. Committee. >> Yes.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> All right. Can I have a motion to approve the agenda? >> Motion. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Yes. All right. Consent agenda. All items listed below are considered to be routine and non-controversial by the township committee and will be approved by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a committee member or citizen so requests in which case the item will be removed
from the consent agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda as part of the general orders. Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Motion. Do >> I have a second? >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Yes. >> Smith.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. All right. That's going to wrap up our special meeting. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 28th at 700 p.m. Do I have a motion to adjourn our special meeting?
>> Motion. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. We'll see you next time.